The bamboo is a miracle of growth
Good to know: there isn't just one Bamboo plant, but 47 species with over 1200 varieties. These are divided into 2 groups with regard to root growth:
- Bamboos that do not form underground runners - fargesia
- Bamboos that form runners - phyllostachys, pleioblasts and pseudosas
Bamboos grow differently than trees
In contrast to trees, there is no growth in thickness with bamboo. When the stalks sprout from the ground like asparagus from April to August, they have already reached their finished thickness. The sprouts grow into a full-grown stalk in a few months. The leaves only unfold once the height has grown.
The largest of their kind grow up to one meter a day and reach heights of almost 40 meters. These record values cannot be achieved in the home garden. But a bamboo that reaches a foot a day is not uncommon. Depending on the height, one differentiates:
- short low bamboo - up to 1 meter
- medium-high bamboo - 3 to 7 meters
- high bamboo - up to 15 meters
- Giant bamboo - over 15 meters
Tips & Tricks
Anyone who wants to buy a bamboo should find out about the growth of the plant beforehand. That protects against surprises.